Drivetrain Team Leader in Maidenhead

Malloy Aeronautics Limited specializes in the development of heavy lift unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) for both civilian and military uses. Located in Berkshire, our operations are notable for their focus on in-house design and manufacturing. This vertical integration means we control the production of most aircraft components on-site, enhancing our ability to innovate and maintain high standards across all stages of development.

About The Role: We are seeking an accomplished Lead to take full ownership of the Drivetrain/Hybrid Team. This will involve the design of drivetrain components such as electrical motors and generators, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), and the associated rigs and tooling. You will lead a group of seven engineers, ensure quality, consistency, and timely delivery of designs, while liaise closely with mechanical, electromagnetic, and thermal analysts both within the team and externally. This is a hands-on technical leadership role with significant influence over our most advanced R&D projects. Ability to hold Security Clearance – 5 years residence in the UK.

What you’ll be doing (but not limited to):

• Owning the technical direction and delivery of drivetrain systems, including motors, generators, ESCs, propellers, and their mechanical and electrical interfaces.
• Leading and mentoring engineers across disciplines (mechanical, electrical, EM, analysis), ensuring coherent system-level design decisions.
• Driving system integration, ensuring motors, ESCs, propellers, structures, and cooling solutions work together as a coherent unit.
• Designing for weight-constrained applications and optimising for drivetrain component and subcomponent efficiency.
• Building & reviewing 3D models in SolidWorks of composite components, structural assemblies, and other metallic & plastic parts.
• Working closely with EM, power electronics, and thermal specialists to translate analysis outputs into practical, manufacturable designs.
• Overseeing the design of test rigs, tooling, and validation hardware to support development and production.
• Supporting manufacturing through DFM/DFA, supplier engagement, and build instruction development.

Skills and Experiences:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong experience in electric drivetrain systems, with practical knowledge of motors, ESCs, and ideally propellers.
• Background in one or more of the following, with system-level understanding across the others: Mechanical design and packaging of electric machines, Power electronics / ESC design and integration, Electromagnetic machine design, Structural or thermal analysis (FEA/CFD).
• Proven experience leading or technically guiding engineers, even if not in a formal line-management role.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, tolerancing, and design for manufacture.
• Ability to balance first-principles engineering with practical delivery under programme constraints.
• Comfortable operating across concept design, detailed design, test, and production support.

Benefits you may be eligible for:

• 9-day fortnight: free parking, free lunch on working Fridays, fruit twice a week, tea and coffee.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Discretionary Employee Incentive Bonus Scheme.
• Employee Share Incentive Plan (BAE Systems).
• Company Sick Pay.
• Maternity and Paternity Enhanced Leave.
• Healthcare Cash Plan including Virtual GP, Dental Cover, Vision Cover, Discounted Gym Membership, and much more! Free coverage for children under 2 years old.
• 20 days Annual Leave, increasing with long service.
• Employee Assistance Programme (24hr Helpline).
• Mental Health First Aiders.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Casual Dress.
• Bronze Level Armed Forces Covenant which signals our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces.

Why Malloy Aeronautics? Our company benefits from a streamlined process where engineering teams are involved in the entire lifecycle of our UAVs — from initial design through to production. This setup not only speeds up the development process but also improves the efficiency and effectiveness of our product launches. We value professionals who have a background in both research and development (R&D) and design for manufacture, as their expertise is crucial to our rapid and precise product development cycle.

Malloy Aeronautics employees will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation. Malloy Aeronautics is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessments or interviewing, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Note: If you have not heard from our recruitment department within 14 days, unfortunately you have not been successful. Malloy Aeronautics and BAE Systems may process information about you that may be subject to data protection laws. For more information about how we use and protect your personal information and your rights, please refer to our Privacy Notice.